After a week of analyzing my own media discussion I have discovered quite a bit about myself and the media I consume. I definitely discovered that I have a routine that I like to stick to when it comes to media consumption, and when that routine is interrupted I suffer. Some might call this OCD but I think of it more as a set of preferences that I have simply grown accustomed to.
First I think it's probably a good I idea to analyze each of my media choices and discuss what I think is the reason I choose them over others.
NPR's "Performance Today" - Simply put I am a lover of music in all its forms but I find classical music the most calming. It helps me start the day much in the same way coffee helps other people. I sometimes forget it's playing but I notice its absence when I am not able to catch it.
NPR's "Morning Edition," "Fresh Air," "Talk of the Nation," "All Things Considered" - I have always had a love of balanced reporting and hard news. I feel that NPR and public sources like PBS are the least biased sources available to the public and I enjoy the fact that they cover a broad array of topics, some which I might not find anywhere else. The reason I consume so much radio programming is because I have so little free time. I feel that the car trip is one of times we waste the most time during the day. I capitalize on this because of the half-four commute I have every day to and from university. I love these programs because they are one of my main sources for staying informed.
Reddit- a website I use for entertainment and infortmation. It is incredibly biased but its vastness and exclusive interviews make up for it. It's more of a cuasual thing for me and if I don't stay up-to-date, I don't feel that bad.
New York Times - This is my most essential source of news. Whenever I miss an issue, I am noticeably angry. I don't like every article or section, but I feel it casts a broad enough net to capture nearly everyone's interest. There isn't a better source of hard news paper media anywhere else.
The Traveler - My interest in The Traveler is fickle at best. Sometimes I feel that they provide worthwhile opinion and sports content, but most of the time I find myself uninterested because of the lack of serious discussion. Many of my high school friends are on staff, so I have a somewhat personal attachment to it but overall i feel that it has too much fluff. When I do pick it up it tends to be out of obligation rather than genuine interest.
The Daily Show - To me this is the best blend of entertainment and new media. I love the comedy and feel that it provides more actual information than most legit news programs. I love Jon Stewart and I love the fact that he can make everyday news entertaining.
Overall, I discovered that I have a passion for serious media, as well as satire of the the media. I also loathe gossip and soft news for the most part. I have a media schedule that I like to stick to and that this system allows me to keep informed and functional in society.
The thing I need to change is the scope of sources I draw from. I need to get outside my comfort zone and try other types of media and other points of view. I think this will strengthen my connecton with the media while also increasing my worldly knowledge.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Media Log Day 5 (11/16/12)
The last day of this assignment could not have been worse. My ordinary routine was harshly rocked today by unforeseen circumstances.
After a failed attempt to burn a DVD for a class project, I finally managed to make my way to my car. I caught the tail-end of the "Morning Edition" broadcast on NPR. It was discussing the scandal involving General David Petraeus. I could not be more tired of this issue. I think that issues like this are personal and do not belong in the public discussion, beyond the casual mention.
This brings up an aspect of the media I tend to avoid: gossip. The so called entertainment side of news is despicable, I find no merit in it and think it is a complete waste of time.
I missed The New York Times again. This is another break in habit I could go without because it is the single piece of media I use to cast the broadest net and when I miss it I really feel like my day is incomplete.
Since I have decided to do this entry on the last day, that is the extent of my contact with the media for today. However, since this is the start of a weekend and a break is around the corner I know I have more than enough time to catch up.
After a failed attempt to burn a DVD for a class project, I finally managed to make my way to my car. I caught the tail-end of the "Morning Edition" broadcast on NPR. It was discussing the scandal involving General David Petraeus. I could not be more tired of this issue. I think that issues like this are personal and do not belong in the public discussion, beyond the casual mention.
This brings up an aspect of the media I tend to avoid: gossip. The so called entertainment side of news is despicable, I find no merit in it and think it is a complete waste of time.
I missed The New York Times again. This is another break in habit I could go without because it is the single piece of media I use to cast the broadest net and when I miss it I really feel like my day is incomplete.
Since I have decided to do this entry on the last day, that is the extent of my contact with the media for today. However, since this is the start of a weekend and a break is around the corner I know I have more than enough time to catch up.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Media Log Day 4 (11/15/12)
I've really started to notice a pattern here. I once again started the day with "Performance Today." It sounds boring just typing this but I really enjoy the program.
I did manage to catch a tidbit of NPR news at the turn of the hour and discovered that the BP case I talked about yesterday. BP will be receiving over $4 billion in criminal fines! Lets just say I wasn't expecting that much, but I have to say that it is definitely deserved.
I skipped paper media altogether today because I had a packed schedule. I always hate to miss an issue of The New York Times, but sometimes my studies take priority.
I listened to a repeat of "All Things Considered," another NPR program on my home. It largely dealt with the politics behind compromise and what it can tell us about upcoming decisions regarding the fiscal cliff. I'll just say that I'm not to hopeful when it comes to this subject. I think that Republicans are twisting the facts and that the Democrats are ignoring the legitimate complaints hidden behind all the crap. It is a mess to say the least.
I resumed my schedule by closing the night with The Daily Show and I even managed to catch the extended interview with Mike Huckabee online. Every time that man opens his mouth it makes me embarrassed to say I'm an Arkansan.
Overall it was a pretty boring day. Hopefully, tomorrow, the last day, will be better.
I did manage to catch a tidbit of NPR news at the turn of the hour and discovered that the BP case I talked about yesterday. BP will be receiving over $4 billion in criminal fines! Lets just say I wasn't expecting that much, but I have to say that it is definitely deserved.
I skipped paper media altogether today because I had a packed schedule. I always hate to miss an issue of The New York Times, but sometimes my studies take priority.
I listened to a repeat of "All Things Considered," another NPR program on my home. It largely dealt with the politics behind compromise and what it can tell us about upcoming decisions regarding the fiscal cliff. I'll just say that I'm not to hopeful when it comes to this subject. I think that Republicans are twisting the facts and that the Democrats are ignoring the legitimate complaints hidden behind all the crap. It is a mess to say the least.
I resumed my schedule by closing the night with The Daily Show and I even managed to catch the extended interview with Mike Huckabee online. Every time that man opens his mouth it makes me embarrassed to say I'm an Arkansan.
Overall it was a pretty boring day. Hopefully, tomorrow, the last day, will be better.
Media Log Day 3 (11/14/12)
I'm posting this a little late due to issue with Cox, my internet provider. Just because they're a massive conglomerate doesn't technically mean they provide good service.
Same thing as yesterday, I opened with "Performance Today" on NPR. However, because I was early today I did manage to catch some of "Morning Edition," another NPR show. This was pretty interesting as it covered the trial of British Petroleum, the company responsible for the massive oil spill in The Gulf of Mexico. A few of my friends in high school moved there because of the spill's effect on local businesses so I am fairly interested in seeing how the whole thing turns out.
I skipped The Traveler today and instead decided to pick up a copy of USA Today alongside my usual copy of The New York Times. USA Today covered Paul Ryan's controversial comments that his rhetoric had nothing to do with why he and Gov. Mitt Romney lost the election. In my opinion the election was a fair race and Ryan is plating the role of a sore loser.
In an odd coincidence I managed to catch a short documentary on the the natural gas industry when I accidentally stumbled into an environmental meeting on campus during my lunch break. It covered the harmful drilling practices being implemented by companies in the US and abroad. I didn't catch much of it but it seemed like an issue I should look further into.
I closed my evening with my weekly "Game of Thrones" watching party. I get together every week with High School buddies to watch the show. Not particularly informative but definitely entertaining.
Same thing as yesterday, I opened with "Performance Today" on NPR. However, because I was early today I did manage to catch some of "Morning Edition," another NPR show. This was pretty interesting as it covered the trial of British Petroleum, the company responsible for the massive oil spill in The Gulf of Mexico. A few of my friends in high school moved there because of the spill's effect on local businesses so I am fairly interested in seeing how the whole thing turns out.
I skipped The Traveler today and instead decided to pick up a copy of USA Today alongside my usual copy of The New York Times. USA Today covered Paul Ryan's controversial comments that his rhetoric had nothing to do with why he and Gov. Mitt Romney lost the election. In my opinion the election was a fair race and Ryan is plating the role of a sore loser.
In an odd coincidence I managed to catch a short documentary on the the natural gas industry when I accidentally stumbled into an environmental meeting on campus during my lunch break. It covered the harmful drilling practices being implemented by companies in the US and abroad. I didn't catch much of it but it seemed like an issue I should look further into.
I closed my evening with my weekly "Game of Thrones" watching party. I get together every week with High School buddies to watch the show. Not particularly informative but definitely entertaining.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Media Log Day 2 (11/13/12)
Once again I opened the day with "Performance Today" on NPR. Nothing really important happened on this edition but it was entertaining nonetheless.
Today I picked up my usual newspapers, namely The Traveler and The New York Times. I read an article that discussing the increases in Afghan militia activity resulting from the upcoming US withdrawal date. Considering the lack of coverage the war in Afghanistan relieved during the election cycle it was good to see it in the news again.
I also consulted Reddit.com when I learned that an interview with Al Gore was approaching. I supported Gore in the 2000 election and he is someone I admire politically, so the chance to connect with him is something I can't miss out on.
I also stopped by latimes.com to read up on a report that compared the death rates of prescription abuse with narcotic use. Oddly enough prescription deaths were much higher, an interesting tidbit.
I once again concluded my night by watching The Daily Show while browsing the internet. My attention was limited though as I was ordering a new coat on amazon.com, my first business interaction for the week.
I got in some last minute media by listening to a sports podcast I had downloaded off of I tunes before going to bed. The defeat of Alabama by Texas A&M was discussed, it was definitely a much better game than we played.
Today I picked up my usual newspapers, namely The Traveler and The New York Times. I read an article that discussing the increases in Afghan militia activity resulting from the upcoming US withdrawal date. Considering the lack of coverage the war in Afghanistan relieved during the election cycle it was good to see it in the news again.
I also consulted Reddit.com when I learned that an interview with Al Gore was approaching. I supported Gore in the 2000 election and he is someone I admire politically, so the chance to connect with him is something I can't miss out on.
I also stopped by latimes.com to read up on a report that compared the death rates of prescription abuse with narcotic use. Oddly enough prescription deaths were much higher, an interesting tidbit.
I once again concluded my night by watching The Daily Show while browsing the internet. My attention was limited though as I was ordering a new coat on amazon.com, my first business interaction for the week.
I got in some last minute media by listening to a sports podcast I had downloaded off of I tunes before going to bed. The defeat of Alabama by Texas A&M was discussed, it was definitely a much better game than we played.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Media Log Day 1 (11/12/12)
I started my daily media consumption today with "Performance Today," a classical music program on NPR. I find that classical music helps helps with early morning concentration and the commentator has an extremely soothing voice. It is a great alternative to the typical shock-jock morning hosts on other stations.
When I arrived on campus I picked up a copy of The Traveler and The New York Times. I scanned the comic strips and opinion pieces in The Traveler, though I didn't find much that could keep my attention. I moved on to The New York Times, specifically focusing on politics and sports. I also skimmed the front page, specifically I read into a story regarding Gov. Andrew Cuomo's relief operations in New York after Hurricane Sandy. I was particularly interested in this story because I have a few friends who live in the area affected by Sandy.
After class i tuned into "Talk of the Nation" on NPR. This particular edition dealt with the psychology of people who live in dangerous places, especially those near hurricane and earthquake prone areas. I thought that this was extremely interesting, the way risk and rewards are weighed inside the human brain is amazing.
I concluded my media consumption by watching the Daily Show. The segment talking about CIA Director David Petraeus' resignation due to his infidelity was hilarious. I always like to wrap up my night with some comedy.
When I arrived on campus I picked up a copy of The Traveler and The New York Times. I scanned the comic strips and opinion pieces in The Traveler, though I didn't find much that could keep my attention. I moved on to The New York Times, specifically focusing on politics and sports. I also skimmed the front page, specifically I read into a story regarding Gov. Andrew Cuomo's relief operations in New York after Hurricane Sandy. I was particularly interested in this story because I have a few friends who live in the area affected by Sandy.
After class i tuned into "Talk of the Nation" on NPR. This particular edition dealt with the psychology of people who live in dangerous places, especially those near hurricane and earthquake prone areas. I thought that this was extremely interesting, the way risk and rewards are weighed inside the human brain is amazing.
I concluded my media consumption by watching the Daily Show. The segment talking about CIA Director David Petraeus' resignation due to his infidelity was hilarious. I always like to wrap up my night with some comedy.
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